Makati—(PHStocks)—Megaworld Corp. (PSE: MEG), the country’s largest developer of integrated urban townships, is constructing a ‘commercial town center’ on the Bacolod side of the rising 53-hectare Northill Gateway township in Negros Occidental.

Occupying around 7.5 hectares, the Northill Town Center will be a sprawling horizontal commercial development composed mostly of stand-alone two-storey structures of retail shops and dining establishments, surrounded by landscaped parks and open spaces.

The town center, which will be accessible along the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road, will also have a central plaza, an events venue, ‘pasalubong’ centers featuring local Negrense delicacies, a supermarket, and wellness and sports facilities.

“We are excited to build the first-ever commercial development along the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road, which is Negros Occidental’s tourism highway. The Northill Town Center will certainly become a destination not just for tourists and visitors of the province, but also for Negrenses who want to unwind and relax from the busy city life. This development will be a refreshing take of the brand of ‘lifestyle mall’ Megaworld is offering in its various townships that is now accessible to the people of Negros Occidental,” says Kevin L. Tan, senior vice president and head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

Around a third of the entire commercial development will be devoted to green and open spaces. The town center’s ‘central plaza’ will be highlighted by unique water features. An iconic chapel will also be built to serve as a major landmark for the township.

The development’s architectural features will be mostly modern contemporary with organic wood and brick accents to infuse a countryside feel.

Construction of the Northill Town Center will start early next year. It is expected for completion by early 2018.

Northill Gateway is a joint township development of Megaworld and its wholly-owned subsidiary Suntrust Properties Inc., in partnership with the Lacson Family. Megaworld is now constructing Forbes Hill, the township’s most upscale residential village, while Suntrust is building Fountain Grove, another themed residential community.

Last year, Megaworld announced that it is investing PhP35-billion in the next 10 years to develop Northill Gateway and The Upper East, another upcoming township near the city center of Bacolod.